Trail Mix

Politico — Rep. Jim Clyburn suggested Wednesday that his House colleague Rep. John Conyers should be held to a different standard when it comes to the possibility of resignation over allegations of sexual assault, saying that Conyers’ status as an elected member of Congress places him in a different category from media and entertainment figures who have had similar accusations leveled against them.

Clyburn (D-S.C.) was walking inside the Capitol with the Congressional Black Caucus chairman, Cedric Richmond (D-La.), when a reporter asked the two about public figures who have been recently accused of sexual misconduct and have promptly been fired or otherwise removed from their positions. Richmond replied that he would need to hear examples of such figures, prompting multiple reporters to offer the names of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and TV anchors Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer.

“Who elected them?” Clyburn replied as he and Richmond got into an elevator, whose doors closed before the South Carolina congressman could respond to a follow-up question. A video of the exchange was posted to Twitter by NBC News producer Alex Moe.

• Daily Beast: Democratic Women Express Disgust With the Party’s Response to John Conyers ‘You can’t call on Roy Moore to step down… as long as you’re circling the wagons for people like John Conyers.’
• Business Insider: A Democratic congresswoman walked out of meeting on sexual harassment, saying, ‘I don’t have time for meetings that aren’t real’

Seeing men lose their jobs is exactly what will ultimately hold Trump accountable for his sexual misconduct. Excusing them is how he escapes scrutiny.

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Three ways:

• Raise middle class taxes
• Protect predatory lenders
• Put a pedophile in the Senate

Hello midterms!

That is what a Trump supporter said to me recently, and it got me thinking. Her point seemed to be that it’s too bad Trump can’t do what he promised because the media and the Washington establishment won’t let him succeed. The implication I took from this conversation is that she’s given up on him, but not blaming him. If he becomes seen as a martyred loser by his own supporters he’s done.

Meanwhile, a look back at how he got here: Fears of Cultural Displacement Pushed the White Working Class to Trump

Whenever talking to in-denial Trump supporters who live in yesteryear I often think of the irrelevant, impoverished and out-of-touch patriarch in Chekov’s “The Cherry Orchard” who defended his misplaced significance saying something like, “I’ll have you know we are mentioned in the encyclopedia.”

Or, as Oscar Wilde said, “I sometimes think that God in creating man somewhat overestimated his ability.”

By Jace, a Trail Mix Contributor

A wonderful work for two flutes. A bit longer than usual but worth every minute. A perfect beginning to any Sunday morning.

Enjoy the music and as always enjoy your day!

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